The Economist has an excellent article giving a balanced overview of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, titled "It should have been so simple". Rather rare to see a well-balanced piece like that in a U.S. magazine. [Oops, I later realize it is a primarily U.K. magazine, but still]. It suggests the obvious, that the parties need to sensibly sort out how to share the land they reside in. And various road maps have been suggested along the way.

"But a map is not much good unless the Israelis and Palestinians can be prevailed upon to follow it. And this, gloomsters say, will not happen so long as the two old men, Mr Sharon and Mr Arafat, remain where they are. Mr Sharon is a disaster because he does not accept the central land-for-peace equation; Mr Arafat because he has lost control and drifts with the tide of events."

28 Jan 2003 @ 06:45 by martha : thanks mingA balanced article on the the Palestinian/Israeli conflick is a step in the right direction. I'm getting very tired of one sided opinions.Some don't seem to realize by giving an unbalanced view they are continuing the energy of war and hate. Some claim to want peace there but at what cost? To eliminate the other group? This conflict is a perfect example of old style thinking and those that continue to spread hate, feed the fire.

28 Jan 2003 @ 15:23 by vibrani : Ironically an Arabic proverb says
"An army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a
sheep."

(Ariel Sharon, just overwhelmingly winning a victory in his reelection as PM of Israel, is the lion.)

30 Jan 2003 @ 15:03 by ming : EconomistThanks. I was looking over the site trying to decide just that, as I had an idea that it was a UK magazine, but I couldn't find any clue. And, like most Americans, I made the mistaken conclusion that anything that isn't marked otherwise is American. I've better correct it.

I the Oriental Chyren (Hindu Leader) who had experienced various events regarding the incidents as depicted by the French Astrologer-cum-clairvoyant, the Fortune Seer as you know the Fortune Teller, the famous French Astrologer Dr. Michael Nostradamus, who discuss about the Hindu Leader & wrote about him. & as relayed by Hindi News Channel “Aaj Tak” & “Discovery Channal” dated 22/12/07. for me as I am as per his predictions and I have experienced those events in my life as the ‘HINDU LEADER”
Till date America desperately tried that India should not come up as super power with competition world wide. Not only this but other nations of the world also tried this but all in vain. The Islamic Jehadi terrorist devils Musharuff (The king of Terror) and Osama Bin Laden retaliated Jehad by 11/9 incident on World Trade Centre and reprimanded America about Jehad by terrorism which made India’s stunt to drive out & uproot terrorism through out the world tangible.
The terror Demon Parvej Musharuff when ascended to power in Pakistan and after taking reins of Pakistan in his hands no sooner than 2 year passed the 11/9 incident took place and Parvej Musharaff was one of the ‘Brain Behind Terror’ and so also Dr. Michael Nostradamus has depicted in his prediction about him as ‘The king of Terror’ It is pertinent to note, I was the first to tell all on 24 & 25/01/2007 mentioning in my writings that Musharaff’s power play of terrorisms will be danger and so it is today.
It is therefore worth and being brought to discussion through this news channel & media, I am needed as the ‘HINDU LEADER’ and INDIA is needed by America in the final stage of IIIrd World War as enemy’s. enemy is friend and as per this view I and my India will ever help America.
Against Pakistan sponsored terrorist causing bomblast taking toll on numerous innocent lives of citizens , the State Government and also the Central Government failed to take stringent steps to eradicate terrorism & its roots and so terrorisms has grown vehemently stronger & so it is mercilessly needed the terrorists camps to be destroyed & ruined, but the present government finally plays, every policy for gaining VOTE BANK and consequently to be in continuous ‘POWER PLAY’, they do not act to kill terrorism permanently & so apprehension reins in Governments & so they need to be replaced by blessing of Goddesses Mahur, Ambejogai, Tuljapur blessed Power of India needs to be given in my hands to aim eradication & uproot terrorism out of world which I have aimed since April’06 for that first I wrote to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India to permit The Shri Ram Janam Bhumi Trust to construct and build great monument of Lord Ram and with that their purpose, I observed ‘Guru Charitra Penance’(Parayan) from 14/08/06 to 27/08/2006. Therefore on 16/10/2006, I wrote to eradicate Pakistan sponsored terrorism through Indian Army, Navy & Air Force or else give power in my hands as like in the hands of Man of God (Angel). Time and again this I have mentioned in my writings & therefore on 07/05/2007 and on 09/07/2007 I have twice walked by footstep from Bhiwandi to Siddhivinayak temple, Prabhadevi, Mumbai, in protest of cruel & terror acts of terrorism and endavoured a lot to bring awareness against terrorism but in no vain and today awareness is a ‘pay no need’ topic keeping negligible aware ness level against terrorism and so I m compelled to bring our this all before Media and TV channel, News channel to serve the first step towards eradication & uprooting terrorism.
Since April 2006 I have come before the world with plea to uproot and end terrorism but really speaking I have commenced this task in 78/79 and with powers of God & Goddesses the happened incidents & events to occur in future are through me as the medium, HINDU LEADER and so I could not resist my desire then to observe penance & fast on every Thursday, and consequently I started visits to Aaudumbar, District Sangli a pious, holy sanctified, pure, blessed place of Datta the Lord for offering prayers & utsav & thereafter observed complete panance of Guru Charitraparayan with a resolution to study the holy hymns of Lord Datta since 28/04/2001 further 12 years all this events and incidents experienced by me and now being experienced are depicted in the compendium Centuries by ‘Dr. Michael Nostradamus’ listening the inner urge within me to uproot terrorism I started my task in which I came across the compendium which fits me in descriptions.
I appeal all men, society, Castes and creeds, countries and continents and finally the anti terrorism attitude in World to be with me to strike the dagger in the heart of terrorism the most destructive demon. The III rd World War has begun with Sunnis against Siahs, against Christaininty & I aware my entry on the stage of World war, as Hindu Leader to bring ultimate Justice in the Cosmic world as a Hindu. I favor no political party, but also, I m not against any one but I rely on public awareness to fight out & oust terrorism and to erradicate & uproot terrorism not only through Pakistan but all countries sponsoring nurturing terrorism to hoist Saffron Flag of Hinduism on my India to bring back the all expected “Ramarajya”, and I am born for that.
Those conducting research on CENTURIES and Dr. Micheal Nastradamus note that no other person fits like me as the perfect Hindu Leader as described by the Great Seer, Greatest Clairvoyant of the World, and so everyone to note & be aware, I the Hindu Leader bring out this facts before the World through media news channel and TV channel.
And finally to verify & testify, I the Hindu Leader urge America to be precautious in near further as destructive danger from Pakistan Iran and Saudi Arabia, which America will experience soon, be aware of terrorism which most destructive demon is creeping in our neighburhood and finally to take toll on you the innocent you!